When is Statehood Day?
This state holiday is always celebrated on June 25th. In Slovenian, it is known as 'Dan državnosti'.
This holiday is Slovenia's national day and commemorates Slovenia's declaration of independence from Yugoslavia on June 25th 1991.
History of Statehood Day
Historically part of the Austria-Hungarian Empire until its collapse at the end of World War I, Slovenia was one of the six republics that formed Yugoslavia.
In December 1990, the Slovenian independence referendum resulted in a 94.8% vote in favour of establishing an independent Slovenia.
The formal declaration of independence was on June 26th 1991. Still, since much of the legislation relating to independence was passed on June 25th, it is this date that is remembered and celebrated on Statehood Day.
The Declaration of Independence set a future course for the newly independent state. Independence was declared at a public event in Republic Square on June 26th 1991, when the flag of the Republic of Slovenia replaced the flag of the Socialist Republic of Slovenia in front of the parliament.
However, the festivities were short-lived as the proclamation started the Ten-Day war with Yugoslavia. Yugoslav army tanks headed from barracks in Slovenia and Croatia to Slovenia's borders with Italy, Austria and Hungary, triggering a ten-day war of independence.
Following a ceasefire based on the July 7th 1991 Brijuni Declaration, brokered by the EU's predecessor, and a subsequent three-month independence process moratorium, the last Yugoslav troops left Slovenia in October 1991.
Croatia also celebrates Statehood Day on the same day, as it was also a state created from the dissolution of Yugoslavia.
Supermarkets and many stores will be closed today. Statehood Day ceremonies are usually introduced with a firing cannon salute from Ljubljana Castle followed by a cultural programme and the main speech.
Dan državnosti, Happy Statehood Day!
